On 17/7, Dr. Duong Thanh Hong, Head of the Ear - Neurotology Department at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital, reported that a CT scan revealed a temporal bone fracture in the woman's left ear, a ruptured oval window, slight displacement of the stapes bone into the vestibule, and disruption of the incus-stapes connection. These injuries caused dizziness and hearing loss. An audiogram confirmed moderate to severe hearing loss in the left ear.

The surgical team repaired the damage and reconstructed the sound transmission system. Post-surgery, the patient received further medical treatment to alleviate the dizziness.

According to Dr. Hong, ear injuries can cause symptoms such as tinnitus, hearing loss (due to eardrum perforation or damage to the ossicles disrupting sound transmission), dizziness, loss of balance, nausea (vestibular damage, especially with stapes displacement), and bleeding from the ear, a common sign immediately after trauma.

Patients can face complications from inner ear injuries, resulting in irreversible hearing loss, severe dizziness, and loss of balance. Without prompt treatment, dangerous complications such as labyrinthitis and meningitis can occur.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Deputy Director of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital in TP HCM, reported that in the first 6 months of the year, the hospital admitted 11 cases of ear injuries caused by ear cleaning. These injuries included temporal bone fractures, ruptured eardrums, ossicular chain disruptions, and vestibular system damage. These injuries can lead to long-term effects like tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness if not treated promptly.

"Earwax plays a role in preventing bacteria and germs from entering the ear. Avoid using cotton swabs or other cleaning tools, as they can cause injury," said Dr. Vinh.

Through chewing and tilting the head while sleeping, earwax is naturally expelled. There's no need to clean it yourself with tools like cotton swabs or metal picks. The ear canal is not a straight tube; it curves slightly downwards. Inserting sharp objects can damage the lining of the ear canal, injure the outer ear, and create an environment for bacteria to grow, leading to outer ear infections and damage to the hearing organs.

Furthermore, the internal carotid artery is located in the ear, and if it's punctured, it can cause a potentially life-threatening rupture. Deep within the ear are also nerves, particularly cranial nerve 7, which can cause facial paralysis if damaged. Damage to the vestibular system can lead to severe and difficult-to-recover dizziness.

Le Phuong